Matthew Taylor: Orchestral Music, Volume Two
The music of the English composer Matthew Taylor (b. 1964) manages both to honour tradition and pull out some surprises. Clearly in the tradition that leads from Carl Nielsen through Robert Simpson, the works here observe Nielsen’s fondness for dignity of expression, the occasional hint of power tempered by an almost Mendelssohnian lightness of touch – and, here and there, a note of levity: the Sixth Symphony, after all, is dedicated to the memory of Sir Malcolm Arnold. The three concertante works are performed here by musicians whose playing Taylor particularly admires.
James Turnbull, oboe
Poppy Beddoe, clarinet
Mira Marton, violin
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Matthew Taylor, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
Symphony No. 6, Op. 62 (2021) (24:52)
- I. Adagio largamente – Allegro leggiero – L’istesso Tempo – Allegro leggiero – (12:19)
- II. Andante tranquillo – (6:19)
- III. Finale: Vivo – L’istesso Tempo, Alla Valse (6:14)
Oboe Concerto, Op. 60 (2020-21) (18:42)
- I. Largamente – Andante tranquillo – Poco Allegretto – (8:24)
- II. Scherzo: Allegro molto (4:02)
- III. Adagio tranquillo (6:16)
Clarinet Concertino, Op. 63 (2021) (15:00)
- I. Andante sereno – (5:03)
- II. Largamente – Vivace agitato – Largamente – (6:52)
- III. Allegretto semplice (3:05)
Violin Concerto, Op. 52 (2016) (10:56)
- I. Hornpipe: Deliberate – (2:41)
- II. Andante con moto – (5:16)
- III. Vivace (2:59)
First Recordings
Das orchester :
‘In den Worten von Taylor hören wir „überwiegend transparente, kammermusikalische Texturen mit prominenten Rollen für Klavier, Pauken und Harfe, die oft als eigenständige Gruppe spielen“. Das Ergebnis ist überaus apart und klangsinnlich und wird vom BBC National Orchestra of Wales, das auch schon auf dem oben genannten Volume 1 von Taylors Orchesterwerken eine exzellente Figur gemacht hat und sich in der Musik seines Landsmanns ganz „ohrenscheinlich“ zuhause fühlt, hervorragend dargeboten. […]
Zur noch größeren Überraschung geraten allerdings die drei überaus konzise konzipierten nur rund eine Viertelstunde Spielzeit kurzen Solo-Konzerte. Die Art und Weise, wie Taylor die jeweiligen Solostimmen im Verhältnis zu dem durchweg klein besetzten Orchesterapparat behandelt, ist nicht nur originell, sondern regelrecht fesselnd. […]
Dass die britischen Musiker gerade hier zur Hochform auflaufen, versteht sich fast am Rande. Fazit: very britsh – and very good!’
—Burkhard Schäfer, Das orchester
MusicWeb International :
‘All in all, [the oboe concerto] is a magnificent addition to the repertoire, and any oboist should be quick to seize it. […]
[The clarinet concerto], to put it simply, a jolly good piece of music, enjoyable while not lightweight in any way. […]
[The violin concerto’s] three compact movements (Hornpipe, Andante con moto, Vivace) make for a highly entertaining work, simple but in no way simplistic, which still calls for agility and good technique. This is a delightful little piece of greatly appealing music.
Needless to say, these superbly convincing performances are immaculately played, with the composer at the helm. This fine release is a welcome addition to Matthew Taylor’s slowly expanding discography. Those who are already aware of his music will know what to expect, while newcomers may find much to enjoy.’
—Hubert Culot, MusicWeb International
Fanfare magazine :
‘British composer Matthew Taylor (b. 1964) draws his style from a potpourri of modern tonalists and finds a distinctive voice in that vast arena that is highly engaging. […] One of the distinguishing features of all of the pieces here is a palpable sense of wonder and unjaded delight, and at times a keen sense of humor. […]
The three concertos heard here are fine, thoroughly engaging works, but the Symphony No. 6, premiered in Cardiff in 2021, is the true gem in this program. It is akin to a concertante in construction, with a trio of piano, timpani, and harp acting as a kind of internal chamber ensemble. […] It is a wonderful work, and quite British in character.
Performances here are first-rate. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales radiates a beautiful tonality and precise balance, with an especially lush string component. Its playing relates a deep respect and affection for Taylor’s music, who finds just the right pacing in his conducting (not surprisingly). The soloists in the three concertos, all colleagues and friends of Taylor, also deliver the goods with gusto and great skill. I am very happy to have discovered Matthew Taylor’s music, and can easily imagine anyone with an interest in exceptionally well-crafted and highly imaginative music feeling the same way.’
—Peter Burwasser, Fanfare magazine, April 2025
Classical Lost and Found :
‘The performances are by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) conducted by the composer. They also feature oboe/cors anglais soloist James Turnbull, clarinetist Poppy Beddoe and Polish violinist Mira Marton. Together they deliver captivating accounts of these selections. What’s more, with Taylor on the podium, they’ll probably be the definitive renditions of all four works for some time to come.
These recordings were made 17-16 December 2022 in association with the BBC NOW at the Wales Millennium Centre’s Hoddinott Hall located in Cardiff some 150 miles west of London. They present consistently satisfying sonic images of all four works in a good venue. Each of the soloists is centered and their instruments well captured as well as balanced against the orchestra. The overall instrumental timbre is pleasing.’
—Robert E. McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found
Klassisk Musikkmagasin :
‘Med denne utgivelsen viser Matthew Taylor seg både som en god konsertkomponist og som en av Europas mest overbevisende symfonikere. […]
Han skriver musikk som ikke bare er fascinerende å lytte til, men også takknemlig for musikerne å spille. De fire verkene på denne engasjerende utgivelsen, utgitt i forbindelse med Taylors 60-årsdag (6. desember 2024), bærer vitne om den fantastiske lydverdenen han er i stand til å skape, hans klare tanker og overbevisende musikalske fantasi.
Symfoni nr. 6 er for kammerensemble, i stedet for et fullt symfoniorkester slik ha brukte i Symfoni nr. 4 og 5, og er en triumf av gjennomskinnelig komponering, der det enkle ofte er det beste. […]
Ved siden av å være en av Europas mest overbevisende symfonikere, er Taylor også en god konsertkomponist. […] Mira Marton er den sprudlende solisten. Hennes strålende, feilfrie intonasjon og rike tone gir verket, som spilles attacca, liv. Marton har full kontroll på det poetiske i den midtre «Aria», det samme har orkesteret, og den avsluttende «Energico» suser av gårde. […]
Den siste «Allegretto semplice» er en melodisk fornøyelse; den fineste concertino en klarinettist kunne ønske seg. […] James Turnbull er en virtuos og musikalsk tolker av verket og BBC National Orchestra of Wales, dirigert av komponisten, spiller utmerket, slik de gjør hele veien. Lyden er førsteklasses. © 2025 Klassisk Musikkmagasin ‘
—Guy Rickards, Klassisk Musikkmagasin